Byrd lashes out at Vick pit-bull case

Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd, eyes glistening, delivered an emotional speech on the Senate floor a short time ago expressing his disgust, anger, and sadness over the allegations in the Michael Vick pit-bull case.Byrd has often spoken on the Senate floor about how much he loves his small dog, especially since the death last year of his wife of 68 years. While emphasizing that he wasn't commenting on the particulars of Vick's case, Byrd lashed out at the practice of dog-fighting. "The training of these poor creatures to turn them into fighting machines is simply barbaric." Shouting and waving his hands, he repeated the words "Barbaric!" and then said "Hear me!"

"I am confident that the hottest places in hell are reserved for sick and brutal people who hold God's creatures in such brutal and cruel contempt." After the speech, Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy -- who has two dogs of his own -- went up to Byrd and said, "Great speech, Bob." And the two went on to talk about their dogs.